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Monthly Archives: December 2010

I get so involved with traveling on Planet Earth, that sometimes I forget to think bigger picture. As in Universe. One of the (many) things I loved about all the Star Trek TV series was the idea of exploring outer space.

My photo of the Dec. 21, 2010 lunar eclipse. Not NASA quality, but it has a certain mysterious magic.

Last night, we had clear weather and mild temperatures for the lunar eclipse, which happened to coincide with Winter Solstice.

As I sat on the grass in my front yard, staring at the moon, I thought about all the unexplored wonders of the galaxy.

First Bite Boulder is an annual event that highlights Boulder’s culinary scene. Each fall—usually a week or so before the holidays start—more than 40 of Boulder’s top restaurants offer a special three-course $26 prix fixe dinner menu. And we diners jump at the chance to sample their menus.

First Bite Boulder first course: Polenta and Pear at Alba. The polenta was crispy, the poached Bartlett pear sweet, and the gorgonzola sauce added tang.

For me—and a lot of folks—First Bite lets us try a three-course meal for a fraction of what we’d usually pay.

Granted, the portions served on the First Bite menus are smaller than what you’d get if you paid full price, but it’s nice to have the experience of a more extended meal than we could otherwise afford. (Alcohol is extra, of course).

What’s really cool about the First Bite concept is it showcases how “foodie”-friendly our town is, and how many Boulder restaurants cook with local organic ingredients.

Buying local means we gourmands get the freshest produce and meats, plus eliminating shipping ingredients from around the globe saves fossil fuels.

In past years, friends and I partook of First Bite at Leaf (a vegetarian restaurant), The Kitchen (an organic bistro) and Arugula (northern Italian).